Question

806 viewsJanuary 14, 2026

muskie67 75 January 11, 2026 0 Comments

As as aging competitive senior player, my questions about iron fitting surround iron lofts. I noticed a fairly significant decline in my distances this past year, especially in my 5, 6, 7 irons…the lower lofted irons. I found that they tended to be flatter and falling out of the sky. Just wasn’t getting the same out of them as previously. My shaft was DG 105, so I’m already in a light/ultra-light set-up there. Realizing I’m not generating the same clubhead speed to get the proper launch on those irons, I’m wondering if moving away from the Player’s Distance category, where the lofts are mostly jacked to provide more distance…and into a slightly higher lofted set in the “modern players” range might be the ticket to getting proper launch and carry out of my longer irons? I realize there are lots of variables, and a good fitting is the answer…but conceptually, is it possible I could get more distance from a slightly weakened loft structure, or is distance mostly predicated by loft, and I should look to other variables in my fitting such as ultra-light shafts and lower kickpoints, and/or moving to higher lofted fairway woods and hybrids at the top end of my set? Again, I’m wondering if conceptually i might benefit from a modern players’ loft structure as opposed to player’s distance…is that possible?

I hope that’s clear enough. I am still a good ball striker, low handicap, competitive senior, but I’m finding it difficult to find and iron I can carry 175-180 these days…thanks in advance!

Muskie

MWB1957 Answered question January 14, 2026

4 Answers

Answer 1 · 2026-01-14T00:11:25+00:00

I think you should try a TS3 five iron, with the Maltby iron shaft.

Test this combo against your current five iron.

Also, check the lofts of your current irons against the Maltby TS3 and the TS3.5’s. The TS3.5’s have strong lofts.

I think your solution is in one of these heads.

I tested a TS3 and TS3.5 five iron against each other. Loved both heads, but the TS3.5 was longer. Both were very forgiving.

Currently I am building myself a set of TS3.5’s with the Maltby R-flex shaft. The head shaft combination is giving me a nice medium high ball flight.

I am a Senior.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2 · 2026-01-13T12:30:48+00:00

Aerotechs are quality shafts and I have no problem recommending them. I play the 90 in my driving iron(s) and love them. As far as other options, I think the MPF’s are a great value for the price, but might be a little lighter than what you were wanting. UST Recoil is another one that players seem to like and has weight options.

As far as why the Mizuno longer irons are not performing. Impossible to know without seeing you hit them. I can tell you that the differences in the technology in the iron heads, in any iron heads, do not have as much to do with the performance as manufacturers would like for you to believe. In irons, it’s about the loft and lie specifications being fit to the player, having a proper sole design and angle, and the mass and dimensional characteristics of the head, which determines how stable, or unstable the iron may be. Differences in face material, internal structure, overall material (other than the way they effect the mass distribution) do not influence launch, ball speed, trajectory, etc. that much. Actually difficult to notice to a measurable degree. Sound, feel…yes, but again, it’s about the mass and dimensional characteristics, and the fit. Could be that the shafts in the longer irons are different in some way too, which might effect the way they feel an that effects the way they perform.

All that being said, TS3’s are awesome and you should give one a try. Maybe build a 6 iron with the Aerotech or one of the other graphite shafts. Might find a great combination for you. Only way to know is to try it.

Britt Lindsey

Given my SS, would you suggest the S-flex, R-flex, or possibly a soft-stepped S? Also, same question for the Maltby shafts…I’m not opposed to trying one?

Thank you again, and for goodness sake, I’ll stop the ranting and long posts!

Answer 3 · 2026-01-12T22:02:38+00:00

Michael-CCLGolf 297 Posted January 13, 2026 4 Comments

Muskie, I teach many senior golfers, some who are good ball strikers, and along with my own experience, I find that for better players, there’s a mindset that’s difficult to overcome. Namely, we’re used to playing steel stiff flex, still swing well, though a little slower, and still like the feel of the shafts we’ve been using for years with much success. And sometimes we hit them so well!

But maybe we need to learn that a much lighter AND softer shaft will be a better fit now.

I imagine you probably have excellent rhythm, moderate to slow tempo and CHS around 85-90. Obviously, these are guesses, but if I’m close, I’d suggest that you try an A (or even an L flex) in something less than 80 grams. Install them in a 6 or 7 iron and just experiment with them. I’m not even saying that is your answer, but you’ll experience something that will help you in your journey to find what’s best. Graftech has an iron shaft in 65 grams; Nippon has a steel shaft in under 70 grams (Zelos 6). These will give you better feel and much better launch angles.

And don’t let torque numbers fool you. More torque often gives a player more head feel.

If you like to build your own demos, I have some old Maltby 6 iron heads (and maybe some shafts) I’d be happy to send you. Or just order whatever shafts you like and go for it.

One other option you might consider: hybrids. I noticed that the great Fred Couples’ longest iron is now a 7 iron! He has switched to hybrids! Match them up with a soft R or A flex and you’ll definitely be able to launch those much higher.

The new Maltby TC Pro IST hybrids have a great range, H2 to H6 and might be a good option for you. In that case, you will definitely get higher launch with shafts you may already like and use. https://www.golfworks.com/maltby-tc-pro-ist-hybrids/p/ma0363/?searchid=2106341&search_query=MA0363

Hope this helps.

Michael

Michael-CCLGolf Posted new comment 2 days ago

muskie67 commented January 13, 2026

Thank you for your feedback. My driver SS is still between 95-100, with my average carry being 230ish. My average 6iron SS is 78-80, with average carry 165ish. My recent fitting at Club Champion confirmed these numbers. According to Trackman, I was carrying the JPX forged 6i 168 on average. They fitted me into Nippon Modus 120 S flex (which is 115 gr) with a D-6 swingweight…and it’s simply been a horrible fit. It was so counter-intuitive to take an aging swing and go up in weight class about 15 grams. I questioned it, and they were like “the numbers don’t lie”, and even though I had strong reservations , I trusted and went with their recommendation. Needless to say, I haven’t been happy at all, and am still working with them on the “performance guarantee”. They are honoring it past the 90 days because I informed them of all these issues within a couple weeks. I played 2 competitive events at big venues, one at Olympia Fields South, and one at Lawsonia Links…and I couldn’t hit an iron over 8 with any confidence or consistency. I was embarrassed at Olympia Fields, and by the time I played Lawsonia, I knew I couldn’t expect much from my iron set-up, so I compensated by playing to my strengths and around the limitations of the irons, and I actually did get a decent result or 2 out of the longer irons there, but it took my best effort.

To your point…yes, I’m open to going down in both weight and flex as needed, but I don’t think I’m near the A/L range just yet. Every shaft is different with respect to flex and bend point, etc. I’m open to R or R+ flex, or soft-stepping S-flex…just have to find the right fit. With respect to set make-up, I’m not ready to get rid of my 5 iron yet. I need a functional club for trouble shots, and such, and truly, I believe I’m still capable of hitting a 5 iron properly with the right fit. I’m thinking 1-3-7w, 4hy, 5-GW, 54*, 58* or 1-3-5w, 3hy, 5-GW, 54*, 58*

Anyway, thanks for indulging me, and for your input. Much appreciated.

Muskie

Michael-CCLGolf commented January 13, 2026

Muskie, first, with you CHS, you are definitely in the S flex range, however, if your tempo is slow to moderate, you can swing a solid R flex and get the best of both feel and good dispersion. If your tempo is fast, S is probably better.
Now as to the shaft material and profile, I would definitely try a solid S flex but in a lighter weight. It could be graphite or steel, but torque on the low side is fine if you prefer the feel of that.
Frankly, I would definitely recommend the Maltby Pro Series S flex (MA0404-S), especially since the new series is softer than the old one it replaced. It is a nice weight at 78 grams, not superlight which you don’t need IMO.
In steel, I like the Nippon series and think the 950 GH in Stiff might be a good option (NP0012 or NP0011 for .370 tip). They run a little softer than other steel shafts and they have good feel. Also at about 95 grams, I think you’ll enjoy the lighter weight.
As a club fitter I like to offer my golfers many options when I do fittings, and of course I have the shafts to do that, but that’s truly the only way to dial in what’s best.
One more thing – you may want to try an iron with an especially low COG, like the new TS3 (MA0340 or its DBM counterpart MA0367), which by design may help with launch as well.
You are obviously too good a player and still with high CHS to not be able to launch all irons up to a 4 with a better shaft and swingweight fit. I agree that what was recommended to you was somehow way off. Apparently, the numbers DID lie!
Hope this helps.
Michael

muskie67 commented 2 days ago

Michael…just saw this. Thank you for the reply! I have a TS3 6i with KBS PGI 80 coming. Can’t wait to give it a try! I chose that shaft in particular because it has a little friendlier profile than the TGI (which I have in a 4hy and hit pretty darn well), and my SS is directly in the middle of the range recommended for the 80gm by KBS (on Golfworks website). It’s high end. I wish I would have seen your reply previously. The Maltby shafts would certainly be a friendly option on my wallet!

Michael-CCLGolf commented 2 days ago

Muskie,
KBS has some of the best shafts in golf and I think you have assessed your need very well with your choice of the PGI80. It IS expensive, but you may find it worth it if it gives you the performance you want.
I have been using the same iron heads and shafts for nearly 10 years and I still love them, but recently I took time away from fitting other golfers to do a new fitting for myself.
I reviewed all the key factors, especially CHS, tempo, transition, release point, and strength and then narrowed down the possibilities. It took less time than I expected, although I knew what has already worked well and this new fitting would be close to what I’ve been using.
Still, a different head and a different shaft turned out to be surprisingly better, with much better dispersion, so I’m quite eager to build the new set of irons.
Now I’m thinking about new woods as well!
A lengthy way to say it’s worth it to find what’s best for you, and having guidance from such fantastic guys as Britt Lindsey and Jim Yachinich assures you of success.
Feel free to private message me if I can help further.
Michael

Answer 4 · 2026-01-12T15:46:45+00:00

Several things to address. First, speed generates distance. As we loose it as we get older, the only way to maintain it in the clubs we play is to go lighter, longer or both. Of course we can go to the gym and work to maintain our strength, and that is a big part of it, but even with that we can’t overcome the fact that we will loose speed as we age.

Secondly, it is important to match the lofts to the speed you have to optimize trajectory. Loft is the single most important specification in a club with regards to trajectory and distance. If you can’t swing it fast enough to get low lofts launched, then that could be a problem. But, you have to realize, more loft might improve trajectory, but at the same speed it might not produce more distance. There is an optimum launch for each speed to generate the most carry distance, but testing is the only way you will know what that is for you. Generally I would tell you to play the strongest lofts you can that will maintain a trajectory you like. That might not max out your distance but should give you the best combination of trajectory and distance . Slightly weaker lofts might be the way to go to accomplish this, but it it might not. I think you’re going to have to experiment with combinations of lighter overall weight clubs and different lofts to determine what gives you the best result. DG 105 shafts are lightweight for steel, but definitely not ultra light in todays world. There are lot lighter options. I understand that feel is a big part of it and you have to balance the weight and balance of the club to what provides you with the feel you like. If you can go lighter and maintain a good feel, that would be a move in a direction that could help you maintain and even increase distance some.

Finally, a shafts overall flex profile can be a medium factor in trajectory. Not a major factor like loft. Kick point is only a minor factor. So if you want to try a softer flex than what you’re playing, it could help increase trajectory a little and generally more flex will feel better than firmer shafts to us, especially as we begin to loose club head speed.

Not sure if this helps much, but hopefully gives you a few things to consider. Nippon makes some excellent lightweight steel shafts, lighter than 105, and there are all kinds of options in graphite.

Britt Lindsey

Quality reply, Britt…thank you! The clubs I’m struggling to launch have the same lofts as my previous set, but the characteristics are different. I had P790’s, and moved to JPX 925 Forged. It was literally overnight when changing to the Mizunos that I lost the long iron carry and distance gaps. I thought it was just something I needed to get used to, and they’d come around, but no. The JPX long irons have different construction with the Chromaloy and low-spin grooves…and they just seem to want to knuckle and fall out of the sky. I hit the 8-GW just fine…the same yardages as my P790’s. I have (and do wonder) if it’s the iron construction itself…designed with lower spin, or something? And truly, the issue isn’t as much distance as it is gapping. Effectively, I don’t have a club I can dependably carry over 155-160 yards. My 8-iron carries 147-152, then my 7, 6, and 5 all carry 155-160. It’s so frustrating…never in my life have I had a set that didn’t provide gaps from iron-to-iron. Side note, the 7i in my P790’s was my favorite club, and I could jump on it to get it to fly 165 at times. My best golfing buddy, also a competitive senior, said he experienced the same thing with a set of Titleist a couple years back. I’m obsessed about moving into the TS3’s with graphite shafts anyway, so getting away from these Mizuno won’t be difficult for a club junkie like me…but I want to cry foul about the Mizuno irons first (lol)…something just isn’t right.
More comments/questions. The iron shafts I’m obsessing about are the Aerotech CW80’s. I like the lower torque rating, as it implies they might be a little more consistent. I read somewhere they have lower balance points, too, so higher swingweights are easier to achieve. Is this true? Also, I’m open to any suggestions for graphite iron shafts, and would love to hear Britt opine about the MPF’s and/or other shafts he might recommend.

Thanks again, to everyone here. This forum is one of my favorite sites!

Muskie